17 brilliant things to do in Zwolle: your guide to the Netherlands’ best-kept secret

Here’s the thing about Zwolle: whilst Amsterdam and Rotterdam were still muddy villages, this star-shaped city was already busy making serious bank as one of Europe’s most powerful trading centres. 

Fast-forward 800 years, and most internationals still haven’t cottoned on to what locals have always known: Zwolle is an absolute gem that deserves way more attention than it gets.

Located just an hour by train from Amsterdam, this former Hanseatic League powerhouse offers everything you want from a Dutch city break without the selfie-stick-wielding crowds.

We’re talking medieval architecture, world-class museums, a bookstore housed in a 15th-century church, and the Netherlands’ only three-Michelin-starred restaurant. Not too shabby for a place most expats can’t even pronounce correctly (it’s “ZVOL-luh,” by the way).

1. Gaze in wonder at Museum de Fundatie’s “cloud”

Let’s start with Zwolle’s most Instagram-worthy attraction. Museum de Fundatie sits in a neoclassical building that’s impressive enough on its own, until you notice the bizarre egg-shaped addition perched on top like a giant metallic cloud. 

This architectural oddity houses one of the Netherlands’ premier art collections, with works by Van Gogh, Mondrian, and Chagall alongside rotating exhibitions. That controversial “cloud” offers spectacular 360-degree views over Zwolle’s historic centre. All in all, a must-see from all angles.

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2. Browse books in heaven at Van der Velde Books

If you thought turning churches into nightclubs was peak Dutch pragmatism, wait until you see what they’ve done with the 15th-century Dominican church in Zwolle’s city centre.

Van der Velde in de Broeren has transformed this Gothic stunner into what many consider the most beautiful bookstore in the Netherlands, with soaring ceilings, original stone columns, and stained glass windows creating an almost ethereal atmosphere for book browsing.

Don’t miss the Leeshemel (Reading Heaven) café, where you can sip coffee surrounded by books and contemplate the beautiful absurdity of it all. Even if you’re not much of a reader, this place is worth visiting just for the “only in the Netherlands” factor.

3. Conquer the mighty Peperbus tower

The 75-metre tower of the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Basilica dominates Zwolle’s skyline, and locals have nicknamed it De Peperbus (the pepper pot) because of its distinctive copper dome.

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Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, the tower survived a fire in 1815 that destroyed its original spire. The current copper dome is where the fun nickname comes from.

The 236-step climb to the first gallery at 51 metres is no joke, but the panoramic views over the city and surrounding Overijssel countryside are worth every wheeze. 

4. Step into the Middle Ages at the Sassenpoort

The Sassenpoort isn’t just Zwolle’s most photographed building; it’s also a legitimate piece of European heritage that’s earned its place in the top 100 Dutch monuments (Rijksmonumenten).

This 14th-century city gate is the crown jewel of Zwolle’s star-shaped fortifications, built when the city was serious about keeping unwanted visitors out.

Walking through its Gothic arches feels like stepping into a medieval film set, except this is the real deal. The gate originally formed part of a defensive system with 23 towers, though only three survive today.

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5. Dive into Zwolle’s Hanseatic trading glory

Between the 13th and 16th centuries, Zwolle was a major player in the Hanseatic League — medieval Europe’s most successful trading network, basically.

While other Dutch cities were still figuring out how to drain their swamps, Zwolle was already dealing in international commerce and wielding serious political influence. You can follow a Hanseatic city walk to see the key sites, or just wander the historic centre with this context in mind.

6. Dine like royalty at De Librije (if you can get in)

De Librije is not just the best restaurant in Zwolle, it’s arguably the best restaurant in the entire Netherlands. This three-Michelin-starred establishment has been setting the standard for Dutch fine dining since the 1990s, and it’s housed in a former women’s prison (because apparently the Dutch can’t resist a good conversion project).

Lovely experience, but getting a reservation requires planning (think months ahead), and the tasting menu will set you back around €200 per person without wine.

7. Take a canal cruise around the star-shaped city

Zwolle’s unique star-shaped layout is best appreciated from the water, and canal cruises here are blissfully free from the tourist boat traffic that plagues Amsterdam’s waterways.

The city’s defensive moat system has been converted into a scenic route that offers perspectives you simply can’t get on foot. The most fun option has to be the round boats that you can rent for yourself.

They might look like floating bathtubs and handle about just as gracefully, but they’re perfect for a leisurely afternoon exploring at your own pace. Summer evenings are particularly magical when the setting sun lights up the historic buildings.

8. Hunt for the “Blauwvingers” legend

Zwollenaren (people from Zwolle) are known as “Blauwvingers” (Blue Fingers), and the story behind this nickname is peak Dutch pettiness.

Legend has it that in 1682, Zwolle’s church tower collapsed, and they sold their church bells to the neighbouring town of Kampen at an extortionate price. Upon accepting, Kampen discovered that the bells were too damaged to be used.

Kampen’s revenge? They paid in the smallest denomination coins available, forcing Zwolle authorities to count thousands of tiny copper coins. After meticulously counting every last one, their fingers had turned blue from handling all that copper. The nickname stuck, and it’s still used today with a mixture of pride and mild embarrassment.

9. Wander the medieval city centre

Zwolle’s historic heart is a masterclass in urban planning that somehow manages to feel both grand and intimate. The Grote Markt forms the traditional centre, surrounded by patrician houses that scream: “We made serious money from international trade.”

The Saturday market on Grote Markt brings the space to life with local vendors selling everything from Dutch cheese to seasonal produce. Unlike Amsterdam’s tourist-packed centre, you can actually wander these streets without having to dodge selfie sticks every three steps.

10. Have a roaring good time at Dinoland

Dinoland Zwolle is a well-executed family theme park that manages to be educational without being boring, and fun without being completely chaotic.

Set in a forest location just outside the city centre, the park combines indoor and outdoor attractions that work regardless of the weather, which is crucial in a country where “four seasons in one day” is considered normal meteorology.

The dinosaur theme is carried through with enough scientific accuracy to keep adults engaged, whilst the interactive elements and playground areas prevent younger visitors from getting bored. Perfect for families with kids aged two to 12.

11. Get your retro gaming fix at Bonami Games & Computers Museum

The Bonami SpelComputer Museum houses one of Europe’s most comprehensive collections of vintage games, computers, and arcade machines. The best part? Almost everything is playable.

For €17, you get unlimited access (so don’t worry about bringing guldens for the slots) to over a hundred arcade games, pinball machines, and vintage computer systems spanning from the 1970s to the early 2000s.

Located in a former church (because Zwolle is really committed to the whole “repurposed religious buildings” thing), the setting adds an extra layer of surreal charm to the experience.

12. Follow the footsteps of Thomas à Kempis

Thomas à Kempis might not be a household name, but his book “The Imitation of Christ” is one of the most widely read Christian texts after the Bible. Why should you care? He spent most of his life in Zwolle!

This 15th-century monk and mystic was part of the Modern Devotion movement, which emphasised personal piety over institutional Christianity — a stance that was pretty radical for its time.

His remains were moved to the Onze Lieve Vrouw ten Hemelopneming Basilica in 2006, where you can visit his shrine. There’s something appealing about a religious figure whose motto was “Everywhere I have sought rest and not found it, except sitting in a corner by myself with a little book.”

13. Explore the remaining medieval towers

Of the 23 towers that once protected Zwolle’s walls, only three remain: the Zwanentoren (Swan Tower), Wijndragerstoren (Wine Carriers’ Tower), and Pelsertoren (Furriers’ Tower).

The Wijndragerstoren is your best bet for a visit, as it now houses Het Beugeltje, a brown café that serves local beers in medieval surroundings.

There’s something deeply satisfying about having a drink in a 14th-century defensive tower. It’s the kind of casual historical experience that makes living in Europe feel properly magical. Walking the approximate line of the old city walls also gives you a sense of how compact medieval Zwolle was.

14. Shop and snack at bustling local markets

Zwolle’s Saturday market on the Grote Markt is everything a Dutch market should be: unpretentious, good value, and filled with locals who treat it as a social event rather than just shopping.

You’ll not only find Dutch cheese that’s actually worth getting excited about, but also fresh stroopwafels that put supermarket versions to shame, and seasonal produce that changes with the calendar.

What makes markets like this essential for expats is the cultural education that comes with every purchase. This is where you learn that there are approximately 847 different types of Dutch cheese, that haggling is absolutely not done, and that bringing your own shopping bag isn’t just environmentally conscious, it’s expected.

15. Embrace the green city life

In 2017, Zwolle was named Europe’s greenest city. Once you start exploring its parks and green spaces, you’ll understand why.

Park de Wezenlanden, for example, hosts the Netherlands’ largest Liberation Festival every May 5. However, it’s worth visiting year-round for its combination of manicured gardens and wilder natural areas along the river IJssel.

Park Het Engelse Werk combines forest walks with riverside views, and it’s popular with locals for everything from morning jogs to family picnics.

For expats coming from more densely urbanised countries, Zwolle’s green spaces offer a glimpse of how Dutch cities prioritise quality of life alongside economic development.

16. Explore the local food scene beyond De Librije

Zwolle’s restaurant scene punches well above its weight, offering everything from international street food to traditional Dutch cuisine.

Wanna Waffle serve incredible waffles with crazy toppings like pulled pork, ice cream combinations, and creative sweet and savoury options that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about waffles.

For a more traditional Dutch experience, hunt down one of the city’s brown cafés (bruine kroegen) where locals gather for beer and conversation. Local specialities include Zwolse mustard, which has protected designation status and makes an excellent souvenir for food-loving friends back home.

17. Use Zwolle as your Overijssel base camp

One of Zwolle’s greatest assets is its location as a gateway to the beautiful Overijssel province.

Giethoorn, the famous “Venice of the Netherlands,” is just 30 minutes away by car, whilst the Weerribben-Wieden National Park provides hiking, cycling, and boat tours through landscapes that feel almost prehistoric.

Other nearby Hanseatic cities like Kampen and Deventer make for excellent day trips, each offering its own take on medieval Dutch architecture and trading history.

Having Zwolle as your base means you can experience both urban culture and natural beauty without constantly changing accommodation.

Zwolle isn’t just another pretty Dutch city trading on canal-side charm. It’s a place with genuine depth, outstanding food, fascinating history, and enough character to keep you entertained for days rather than hours.

The best part? You can experience all of this without fighting through crowds of tourists or paying Amsterdam prices for everything. Zwolle offers the authentic Dutch experience that many expats are searching for, a place where you can actually imagine living, working, and becoming part of the community.

Have you discovered Zwolle’s charms, or are there hidden gems we’ve missed? Share your own experiences in the comments!

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